The survey results are based on telephone interviews with a sample of
1,039 women age 18 or older. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive
for NAFC under an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company.
The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3%.

Prevalence

Overall, 26% of women ages 18 and older reported experiencing an involuntary
loss of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or doing physical activity
during the last 30 days.

Age Group

Percent
with Stress Incontinence Symptoms

18-24

10%

25-34

22%

35-44

26%

45-54

33%

55-64

32%

65+

34%

Almost half (47%) of women reported knowing someone who has experienced
these symptoms. Of women in the 45 to 54 age group, 58% knew someone that
experienced these symptoms.

Onset of Symptoms

The average age of women when they first experienced stress incontinence
symptoms was 44.

Only 13% of women in the general population believe stress incontinence
symptoms can begin before the age of 40, yet the survey found 40% of women
with symptoms first experienced them before age 40.

Age
of Onset of Symptoms

Perceptions
of General Women

Women
with Symptoms

Under 20

0

7%

20-29

5%

16%

30-39

8%

17%

40-49

18%

23%

50-59

26%

14%

60-69

18%

11%

70-79

10%

7%

80 and older

3%

2%

Misperceptions About Causes

Overall, one-third (34%) of women are not aware that childbirth could put
a woman at risk for urine leakage. This is even higher among women ages 55
to 64. Forty-five percent of women in this age group are not aware that childbirth
could put a woman at risk.

Forty-two percent believe that drinking a lot of liquids puts a woman at
risk for these symptoms. Over half (52%) of women ages 18-24 believe that
this could put them at risk.

Over one-quarter (26%) responded that feeling stressed in the office or
home puts a woman at risk for developing these symptoms. Over one-third (36%)
of women ages 18 to 24 believe that stress in the office or home puts them
at risk.

One in five (20%) women ages 18 to 24 believes having "too much sex" puts
a woman at risk for developing these symptoms.

Discussions with a Doctor

Of those women experiencing symptoms, only half had ever consulted their
doctor.

Women between the ages of 35 and 44 were the least likely to consult a
doctor. Only thirty-two percent of these women had consulted with their doctor.

Reasons for Not Consulting
a Doctor

Thirty-four percent of women stated that their leakage is just something
that is supposed to happen as they age.

Nearly one-third (31%) believe that their leakage is just something they
have to live with.

Close to one-quarter (22%) stated their doctor had not asked them about
their urinary health.

Conversations with Others About Symptoms

Only 28% of women with symptoms reported they had talked to their spouse
or significant other about their symptoms.

One-quarter reported that they had not spoken to anyone about their leakage.
This was even higher among women ages 35 to 44. Thirty-five percent of women
in this age group reported they had not spoken to anyone about their condition.

Over half (53%) of women experiencing symptoms strongly agreed/somewhat
agreed that they just don't like talking about their leakage symptoms.

Lifestyle / Attitude Changes

Overall, 58% of women experiencing symptoms reported having to make some
type of change in their lifestyle as a result of their symptoms.

One-third (31%) stated they had to always know where the closest
bathroom is. Forty-three percent of women over 55 felt this way.

Approximately one in five women (19%) reported drinking less water or fewer
beverages as a result of their symptoms.

Unaware of Stress Urinary
Incontinence

Women in general are unaware that leakage during coughing, sneezing, laughing
or physical activity is symptomatic of a medical condition called stress urinary
incontinence. When asked the name of this condition, 69% stated they did
not know.

Further, two-thirds (66%) of women experiencing symptoms reported
that they did not know the name of this condition.

Only 3% of women in the general population stated the name of the condition
was stress urinary incontinence or stress incontinence. Only 8% of women
with stress incontinence symptoms were able to name the condition.